Model year record

1994 Mercedes-Benz Sl recalls & problems

The 1994 Mercedes-Benz Sl has 1 safety recall and 15 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (13 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints15filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Wiring	13	1	3	1	89,003 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	2	0	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor	1	0	0	0	—
Equipment	1	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights	1	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	1	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	0	1	1	—
Power train	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train
THERE ARE MULTIPLE INHERANT FLAWS WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE THAT AFFECT THE SAFETY AND ROADWORTHINESS OF THIS AUTOMOBILE INCLUDED HERIN AS ABSERVED BY ME IN MY OWNERSHIP. I HAD REPLACED THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS THAT HAD INSULATION ON THE WIRES THAT LITTERALLY TURNED TO DUST! THESE WIRES WERE FREE TO ARC ON EACHOTHER CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION(THIS CAR IS EQUIPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY AND WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT DRIVER IMPUT), FINALLY FAILED THROTTLE RESPONSE! ALL OF THESE INSTANCES CAN, AND WILL CONTRIBUTE TO SAFETY ISSUES IN THE FUTURE, AND CERTAINLY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ACCIDENTS IN THE PAST, I CAN'T BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW LUCKY I AM TO…
Jun 15, 2010 · 155,244 miles
Electrical system
FAULTY BIODEGRADABLE WIRING IN CAR CAUSING A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND I NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT TO ERRATIC ENGINE FUNCTION 3 TIMES. *TR
Nov 16, 2009 · 118,170 miles
Electrical system
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE COMPLETE ENGINE HARNESS IS BEING REPLACED. *TR
Feb 20, 2009 · 69,358 miles
Electrical system
INTERMITTENT IDLE CHANGE AND IDLE SURGES DURING DRIVING. ALSO WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE CAR CUTS OUT. *TR
Jul 23, 2008 · 157,000 miles
Electrical system
I HAVE A 1994 600SL MERCEDES (35,000 MILES) WITH COMPLETE BREAK DOWN OF ALL THE ELECTRICAL WIRE INSULATION. UPON MY INVESTIGATION I FIND THAT EVERY SL HAS THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE MERCEDES TO REPLACE ALL THE WIRING HARNESSES INCLUDING THE HARNESS TO THE THROTTLE BODIES. *TR
Jun 23, 2008 · 34,500 miles
Electrical system › Wiring
ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY CAR 1994 BENZ SL 320 STOPPED RUNNING AND DEALER REPLACED BURNED OUT ENGINE WIRING HARNESS THAT COST ME $1500 TO FIX. *TR
May 15, 2004
Electrical system › Wiring
I OWN A 1994 SL 600 MERCEDES BENZ. AFTER PAYING 17,000 DOLLARS FOR THE CAR, I RECENTLY NOTICED THE CAR STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN TRAFFIC. MAJOR CONCERN WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE CAR STALLS WITH EVERYONE BLOWING THEIR HORNS AND I AM DRIVING A 135K DOLLAR CAR. IT FINALLY BREAKS DOWN AND I HAVE IT TOWED TO TONY'S FOREIGN CAR IN WILMINGTON, NC FOR ASSESSMENT. THEY INFORM ME THAT IT IS THE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE AND SHOWED ME THE DECOMPOSITION OF THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING. THEY TELL ME IT IS A COMMON FAILURE OF THE 94 TO 97 YEAR MODELS OF MERCEDES AND ALSO LET ME KNOW THAT I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NOT FIRE BECAUSE IT WAS WIRING TO WIRING CONTACT (FIRE HAZARD). THEY ALSO INFORM ME THAT I…
Feb 19, 2008 · 93,289 miles
Electrical system
WIRING HARNESS ON 1994 MERCEDES BENZ SL600, WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES . MY MECHANIC ESTIMATED IT WOULD COST THE COSUMER BETWEEN $7,000 TO $10,000 TO REPLACE THE HARNESS. THIS IS A KNOWN FAULT BY MERCEDES BENZ RESULTING IN A PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE WIRING HARNESS RUNNING ALONG THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. MERCEDES IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS A LARGE STOCK TO MEET THE DEMAND. THE CAR GO INTO THE UNSAFE MODE DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING.
Jun 10, 2006 · 80,763 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.